Attack of the Mush: Very Happy

For nearly 3 years, I’ve searched, waited and longed for that one person to come and alas, my long wait has come to an end. He came in the most unexpected time, in an island where booze, intoxicating fun and wonderful companions can seemingly bring you to another world. It was then; I knew I would be happy for a very, very long time.

“Saan tayo mga becky?”

“Doon na lang sa Mikko’s Bar,” I said.

“Chaka, sa ibang lugar naman tayo. Gusto ko magvideoke!”

“Ayyyyy! Game!”

It was our last night in Puerto Galera. Earlier that day some of us decided to postpone going back to Manila for one more night. And so, I came up with an excuse to my boss and stayed one more night. Little did I think that that was the best decision I was ever going to make.

After spending most of the day under the sun, playing beach volleyball, drooling at hunks, and lying at the beach working on our tan while reading, we all decided to grab dinner and head down to the bars for more hunk-drooling. Most of us still had a hangover from the night before but that never stopped us from getting drunk again that night especially since it will be our last night in the island. There was unanimous decision to get wasted and sing our lungs out at the local videoke joint somewhere. But after walking back and forth our dreams soon faded and we settled at the same bar we hung out the night before. And there I saw him; in a floral polo (yes, floral – we were in an island after all) buttons opened all the way holding a glass of the infamous Mindoro Sling seemingly dancing the night away with friends. (I later on found out that he was with relatives.)

“Mga bakla! May gustong makipagkilala sa iyo.”

“Sino?”

“Yung guy na labas ang dibdib don sa kabilang table.”

“GO!”

When we first passed the area, he already caught my eye. And as chance would have it he seemed attracted to me too. FATE? DESTINTY?

I wasn’t quite certain that I had the guts to approach a stranger in a bar. I always had this rule that men I meet at Galera will be left in Galera. I’ve had too many horror stories from friends about hooking up with guys in the island and I didn’t want that to happen to me. But he was quite the persistent lad. I was watching some fire-dancers when he sat beside me and did small talk. Of course, my insides were already shrieking like a little girl. A few more drinks, more talk, a little dancing and as the night grew darker I got hooked.

It was there bathed under the moonlight, amidst puddles of people around, drinks on hand, sands on our feet and distant techno-music in the background, I kissed this stranger in White Beach.

And I was happy. Very happy.



Love letters and idealisms by Noel Abelardo